Abuja, August 02 (Viewpoint Housing News) – The Chairman of the Abuja Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Tpl. Lami Ayuba has described the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) as very interesting and revealing because, “it brings together housing developers and champions in the housing industry.
However, she added that the Show is aimed at making more impacts in the Nigerian built sector.
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She said this year’s edition of the show have impacted the NITP through collaboration with international bodies like the International Finance Corporation (IFC) which she said will collaborate with NITP in capacity building and edge certification.
According to her, the partnership is aimed at educating developers in the FCT for better packaging and upgrading of their organization in order to access finance that is provided by the IFC and through the IFC, members of the institute in the private sector can also get pre-qualification for edge certification or become consultants to people who want to access finance, likewise members in the public sector.
This is driven to make Abuja a better city and provide the kind of housing needed.
“It’s not all about building bungalows and selling. It’s about packaging urban housing, having a direction of who and what your targets are and what are you trying to add to urban development? Is it the usual literal density bungalows or you are trying to go into compact housing? Tpl. Lami queried.
One of the benefits the AIHS has had on her institute was an opportunity to pay a visit to a board producing company met at the AIHS. They produce waterproof boards that can be used as an alternative to Plaster of Paris (POP). As a substitute building material, it can be used for building, instead of the usual blocks.
Despite these enormous benefits, she said the AIHS have more to offer to make subsequent editions excellent. She gave an instance of some foreign companies visited at their stands during the show, like the Chinese and discovered that they don’t have offices in Nigeria. So, it may be difficult accessing them after the show.
“I think AIHS should go further and identify these companies that come for the show without a presence in Nigeria. The AIHS should find out how it can assist on how they can partner with Nigerians in the country.
AIHS at its level knows the right people that can collaborate with these foreigners and enable them enter the Nigerian market.
Mrs. Lami also suggested that prior to staging of an edition of the show, a day workshop or review of the previous edition should be made. The idea is to have a good understanding of the progress and impact the show is having on Nigerians and the environment, and come up with a plan and review of all the proposals, affirmations of the previous events, how far they have had an impact on housing in the country.
